talk me into / out of a .204 Ruger build

TAYLOR... as usual, you provide interesting options... did a bunch of reading on 6 XC I had not heard of it before... looks like basically the same case ( I think a bit shorter, & now with more .308 characteristics ) as the 22-250... so no work to the bolt or magazine likely needed... even in this time of little components available, I was able to find brass available ( sounds like it can be made from 22-250 cases, but because of a difference in rim thickness, it takes a special shell holder when forming ??? )

reamers & dies are available as well...

seems like a good option... if I decide not to re-chamber it in .308

... last night I was looking at what else I could do... I have a Contender barrel in 6.8 SPC, & all the reloading equipment, & thought a bolt repeater might be nice... the base of the case is close, but likely still too small, as to still require bolt face work ???
 
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If we look at it in mm, you have:

4.5
5.56
6
6.5
6.8 (or will)
7
7.8
8.5
9
9.5
10.5


So, you're missing 5mm, 7.5mm and 10mm.

I don't know of a rifle of the top of my head that uses a .400 (10mm) bullet. There are certainly 7.5mm cartridges available, though I'm not sure any would be classified as a "target" cartridge, maybe there are, I don't follow "big" bore. Besides, 7.8 obviates the need for a 7.5 or 8mm cartridge.

The obvious choice is .204, 5mm.
 
well there is no doubt that today, the smaller more efficient cartridges are cheaper to shoot ( at one time, the .308 could have fallen into the cheap category ) but seems like recent shortages have pushed the .308's cost up along side of similar calibers...

I also have a group of custom rifles, & could easily move the 25-06 into that group, as it is a total custom... I have dies & only a handful of correct headstamp cases though... reason I mention this, is while the rack is full, I'm not totally against a little shuffling... it would be nice, if I could utilize some of the Contender calibers in these bolt action rifles, rather than adding a completely new bore to the reloading stuff :o

some of those that could be interesting in a bolt action rifle include...

5.7 X 28
221 Fireball
222 Remington
6 X 223 SSK
6.8 Remington SPC
7 mm TCU ( 7mm X 223 )
 
For $167 PT&G has a one piece bolt for your M700 with a .420 bolt face for the 6.8 SPC. Numrich has the magazine box available for $11, now the follower might be a little hard to get as I've not located one for the 6.8 yet. I'm thinking the one for the .223 $30 might work but your buddy the machinist should be able to build one. The only problem from there is wait time on a barrel especially if you want a 1:11 twist for the 6.8 SPC, if you want to go 1:10 then Midway has Shilen blanks in stock for $150.

So for $358 minimum you can have all the big parts bought to convert your .22-250 to a 6.8 SPC.

As far as the XC goes when Tubbs was the only supplier of brass there was issues with brass availability. That is supposed to change as now Norma will be making 6XC brass shortly. Yes it can be made out of your .22-250 and .250 Savage brass as well.
 
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well... still trying to decide ???

thanks for the links on the 6.8... I just recently traded a couple 100 - 223 cases for a couple 100 once fired Remington 6.8 cases, & had around 100 SSA new unfired cases for the Contender barrel already, & I have the dies... so I'm on the way to collecting a good quantity of cases... I understand the 6.8 is likely lacking a lot of ballistic prowess compared to the 6XC, but for shooting at my 50-300 yard distances, & not being "needed" to put down humans, or deer sized animals... it'll be a lot cheaper for me to get into... I wonder if the stock 22-250 follower might work better than a 223 follower ???

anyone play with this cartridge??? I don't see a down side to the 1 in 10" twist, as in the Remy 700 bolt action ( probably the Contender as well ) I'm probably OK with a longer COL, than I would be, if trying to run them through an AR, & I like heavy for caliber bullets more than light fast "barrel burners" I also have a lot of .270 bullets, & allot less of the slippery 6 mm pills
 
There have been ALOT of good cartridge choices mentioned already so I won't add any more in the mix, but one more suggestion I will offer is to go with something in either 6mm, 6.5, or .308 bullet diameters IF this is to be primarily a target rifle as these will have the best selection of match/target bullets.

All this talk has me halfway wishing I had a shot out barrel on one of my rifles :D
 
The only real downside to a faster twist with the 6.8 is some loss in velocity. A 1:11 twist barrel should be a little faster than a 1:10 but not by much. The up side is you can load heavier bullets, maybe up to 150 grain. IIRC the 1:11 twist will stabilize up to the 135 MK bullet by Sierra.

I think the 6.8 with 110 grain TSX or Accubond would make a dandy little white tail rig. Plus with some 90 grain Sierra's it would do nasty little things to varmints. I really see a lot of potential in the 6.8 on a bolt action platform.
 
MattShlock said:
Build a common, less obscure, chambered gun.
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Why? MWM has several common firearms chambered in common cartridges, and he reloads his own ammunition. It is a firearm that he already stated that he'll never sell since it has sentimental value. Plus there is a point when common is just common, and where is the fun in that.
 
Where is the fun in ending up with an orphan with no components available?
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What do you mean no components available? A lot of these cartridges mentioned though wild cats or non mainstream rounds are perfect for when a component shortage is going on. Lets face it if you were unprepared for this current shortage you're out of luck common or not.

All the cartridges for the most part being talked about here have a few things in common. Most can be made out of readily available parent cartridges. They all burn less powder than a lot of cartridges out there that are "more common". They all use common caliber bullets, 6mm/.243 and 6.8mm/.277 for the main calibers being discussed.

6.8 can be made out of .30 Remington brass, hard to find but the OP already has a supply of 6.8 SPC. 6XC brass is in stock in two places and can be made out of .22-250 or .250 Savage. 6X47 Rem or 6-204 Ruger both can be made from .222 Rem Mag brass or .204 Ruger brass, but the OP already runs a 6X45 (6mm-223 Rem) so no need to go there just keep what he has.

So as long as the OP has the brass, then all he has to worry about is primers, powder, and bullets. All of which were in short supply, so it wouldn't matter what you are shooting common was just as SOL as uncommon for reloading supplies. Plus until recent few months the uncommon ammunition was more easily found than the common, and the prices were more inline with the norm than being severely inflated.

The only thing an uncommon cartridge is going to do in a rifle is hurt the resale value. The OP has already stated that the rifle will not be sold. So common or not if there is another component shortage like the current one we went/are going through regardless of popularity it's going to be hard if one is unprepared.
 
I agree, if you are going to build a rifle it might as well be in a chambering that everybody and their brother doesn't already own in a factory rifle. Especially if you reload.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys... would like to say I've totally come to a decision, & begun the project... but... the non gun sister in law is visiting, a family reunion on Sunday, coupled with the fact that I spent the bulk of my free time this weekend trimming the trees that line my shooting range, ( I haven't trimmed for several years now, & the "window" to the 250 & 300 yard target backers was getting pretty obscured )... range looks great now, or will after I pick up the 4-5 more trailer loads of branches...:o

I'm pretty sure I'm going with the 6.8 SPC... though, & likely the 1 in 10" twist so I can run the 130-150 grain bullet weights
 
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